The short version
- MLX (by Apple) is an open-source array framework for machine learning on Apple Silicon, on GitHub as ml-explore/mlx.
- MLX Network is an independent community project: Macs run AI work with the MLX framework and earn the MLX Token.
- MLX Network is not affiliated with Apple Inc. Apple's framework is free and doesn't involve any token.
- If you came for the framework, Apple's documentation and the mlx-community models on Hugging Face are the place to start.
1Apple's MLX framework
MLX is an array framework for machine learning on Apple Silicon, released by Apple's machine learning research team under the MIT license (GitHub). It feels like NumPy and PyTorch, uses the Mac's unified memory without copying between processor and graphics, and powers mlx-lm for language models, MLX Swift for apps and distributed inference across several Macs.
It's free and open source. You don't need an account, a wallet or a token to use it. Start with running an LLM on your Mac.
2MLX Network
MLX Network (this site) is an independent community building the largest Apple Silicon compute network. MLX Node runs AI work on the MLX framework within the limits its owner sets, and earns the MLX Token for verified results. Dedicated seats multiply what a Mac earns, the ledger is public on the explorer, and every Mac on the network is on MLX World.
We chose the name because the network is built on, and for, the MLX framework. MLX Network gives back to that community through MLX Builders: grants and free Builder seats for people who build with MLX, and MLX Bench, an open benchmark of MLX on every Apple Silicon chip.
3Side by side
| MLX (Apple) | MLX Network (mlx.app) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Machine learning framework | Compute network and token |
| Made by | Apple's machine learning research team | Independent community, not affiliated with Apple |
| Cost | Free, open source | Free app; optional dedicated seats |
| Token | None | MLX Token, 10,000,000,000 fixed supply |
| Where | github.com/ml-explore/mlx | mlx.app |
4Questions
- Is MLX Network made by Apple?
- No. MLX Network is an independent community project and is not affiliated with Apple Inc. It runs on Apple's open-source MLX framework.
- Is the MLX token related to Apple's MLX?
- No. Apple's MLX framework has no token. The MLX Token belongs to MLX Network and pays Macs for AI work.
- Where do I download Apple's MLX?
- Install it with pip install mlx, or mlx-lm for language models. The source and documentation are on GitHub at ml-explore/mlx.
Sources
- GitHubgithub.com